After Erin McClean revealed the extent to which social media abuse has affected her family, we spoke to Pat Nevin about the situation.

Nevin has had dalliances with abuse from the terraces - albeit not online as a player - but is close to those in the game that have had issues with it.

Social media

"The point I would make is that footballers finally have a voice that is worth something," said Nevin.

"The fact that you are getting this from all the players, be it anti-racism or anti-Irish stuff - I think they are scared. I think Twitter are scared, Facebook are scared.

"I think they now know that football is just about to turn on them - and football is turning on them.

"I have just seen a letter from the PFA, the FA and all of the organisations over here saying that they do not accept the abuse that is being sent towards professional footballers. Everyone has got together now.

"We are getting to somewhere now. It is horrible when you are in the middle of it, I've been in the middle of it. It's water off a duck's back to me, but when your family is brought into it - however likely it is likely to be an idiot warrior or whatever - it is even more unacceptable than it is normally.

"I think we are close now."

Future

Nevin believes that identification to use platforms such as Twitter will be a prerequisite to ensure that people who do indulge in abusive messages can be found.

"I think now they have got to find out who's posting - if you are part of their gang, you are going to need to be tracked down."

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